NBA Draft: Point Guard Preview

The point guard class of the 2010 NBA Draft class is not super deepn, but it is strong at the top. The top pick in the draft will be John Wall, a PG from Kentucky, one of the best prospects to enter the draft from the college game in a while.

Wall only played one season at Kentucky, but he mad the most of it. He is a dynamic athlete, and could eventually be the most athletic PG in the NBA at 6'4''. He is not a great shooter yet, but he has all of the other skills necessary to be a great PG in the Association. He is unselfish with the ball, extremely quick (he is lethal in transition, and can get to the rim almost any time he wants), and he steps up his game in big moments. He hit the game-winner in his first collegiate game. As a hyped freshman, he was among the nation's leaders in assists on a 3-loss team that was very young. He will be a great player, and will be excellent from day one.

The next best PG in the draft might be one of Wall's teammates, Eric Bledsoe. Even though he was largely overshadowed by Wall, pro scouts love his potential, and he is the only other true PG that has a chance to be drafted in the lottery. He can play on the ball or off the ball, has a good handle and jump shot, and should be a solid contributor in the NBA. He is not as ready as Wall to contribute in the NBA, but he should be a solid pro.

Terrico White out of Mississippi is not a true PG, but he should be able to play the position in the pros, kind of like Tyreke Evans (though he doesn't have that type of talent). He is very athletic, and can score in a variety of ways. He will be a solid player if he gets to go to a fast paced club.He can fill it up and make plays above the rim, which is vital for success as an athletic guard in the NBA. He has a chance to get drafted in the first round.

The PG position is not very deep at all, as likely only one point guard will get drafted in the lottery, and there will be very few true point guards in the draft. However it is strong at the top, as John Wall will be the top pick and the best player of this class, representing the point guard position well.

2009 NBA Draft Preview: Power Forwards

This article can also be found here.

When looking at the power forward class of the 2009 NBA Draft, the conversation obviously begins with Blake Griffin from Oklahoma. He considered entering the draft after his freshman season (where he could have been a lottery pick), but decided to come back for one more year at Oklahoma to refine his game. It turned out to be a great decision. He absolutely dominated the college ranks as a sophomore, winning national player of the year awards and looking like a man among boys, and enters the draft as the undisputed #1 pick, the lone sure thing in a weak draft.

The numbers he put up were eye-popping. He averaged 22.7 PPG, lead the NCAA in rebounding at 14.4 RPG. Just for good measure, he also averaged over 2 APG, and one steal and block per game. He did this while shooting a staggering 65% from the field. But it wasn't even just the numbers, it was the way he did it. Physically, he was no match for anyone in the college game, meaning he should be ready to play right away. He can finish with either hand by the basket, and shows refined post moves. He outmuscles opponents for rebounding, and can get great position at any time. He knows how to use his body down low very well, and is very crafty in the post. His athletic ability is excellent for a big man, and he has a good handle on the ball. He needs to show more assertiveness and focus on the defensive side of the basketball, but that is just a small qualm. He will be the first pick in the draft, and he looks very ready to make an immediate impact in the NBA.

The next power forward off the board will be Jordan Hill from Arizona, who looks like he will potentially go in the top 5. He is a very high energy guy, and his game most looks like a more highly skilled Anderson Varajeo. He was one of the most improved players in college basketball this year. He has turned into a decent scorer down low. Mostly though, he is a very high energy rebounder and defensive player. He will do all of the little things necessary to win. If he can continue to develop his offensive game, he will be a very good NBA player. At worst, he should be a very good rotation player.

After that, there are a few different guys that could go off the board. One is Dejuan Blair from Pittsburgh. He is undersized at 6'7'', and there are some physical concerns about him, but he has lots of positives. Most chiefly, he is a great rebounder. He is very strong, and knows how to work his way into position. He is especially adept at grabbing offensive rebounds. He is a crafty low post scorer, and showed against Hasheem Thabeet that he can score even against players much bigger than him. He is one of the toughest players in the draft, and that should help him in his transition to the faster, stronger NBA game.

Then there is Tyler Hansbrough. Of course, he had a very distinguished collegiate career, with all sorts of awards, records, and a national title. Unfortunately, none of that means anything anymore. He is probably the hardest worker in the draft, but will his lack of elite athleticism hurt him? He can score in a variety of ways, and you know that he will work harder than anyone else at improving his weaknesses, but how high is his ceiling? That is the question teams will be asking. Finally there is James Johnson from Wake Forest, a guy who could go at high as in the late lottery. He has a lot of potential and talent, but he doesn't always have the consistency to go along with it.

So when looking at the power forwards in this year's draft, Blake Griffin is obviously the guy that stands out. He is the consensus #1 pick in the draft and the most sure thing in the draft. After him, there are a couple potential lottery picks, but nobody else that will have near the impact of Griffin. It will be interesting to see how things shake out!

NBA Draft 2009 Preview: Small Forwards

There is no way to sugar coat it - the small forward position looks to be the weakest position in a weak draft. There might not be anyone at that position drafted in the lottery, and there does not appear to be a whole lot of depth at the position either. There are some guys with the potential to be very good players, but there is nobody within the group that has been able to combine great athletic skills with consistently excellent basketball at the collegiate level. Which leaves basically two groups at the position - first, the guys with tools that have not consistently performed, and the guys that were great performers at the collegiate level but don't have the tools to be great NBA players.

The first small forward off the board could be Austin Daye from Gonzaga. He was a very highly touted prospect coming out of high school, but has never really been able to consistently put his game at the level that Mark Few hoped he would. Though he needs to bulk up, he has the height to cause all type of mismatch problems at SF, or the quickness to cause a lot of matchup problems at PF. He has shown at times that he can be both and efficient and explosive scorer. He only averaged 12.7 PPG, but he shot great percentages, showing the ability to both get to the rim, hit the midrange jumper, or hit from the outside. However, he had the tendency to explode one game, and then disappear the next, meaning you are not sure what you are going to get from him on a night to night basis. But his game is not all scoring. He is a solid rebounder (though again he needs to add bulk), ballhandler (for a man his size), and passer. If he had been able to put his game together on a consistent basis for the Zags, he could have been a top 5 pick. As it is, he will likely go sometime in the late lottery.

Next is Earl Clark, another guy with loads of potential but lots of questions about his game and about his consistency. If you would look only at his NCAA Tournament performances the past couple of years, you would think he was a top 10 pick, no questions asked. But when you look at his whole body of work, you start to question whether or not he will be able to bring it on an every night basis in the NBA. He can score both on the block or on the outside, and has a good enough handle to take his man off the dribble. He can get down and rebound, he is a great passer for a man his size, and he has the physical tools to be a solid defender. His great run in the NCAA Tournament should boost his stock, but scouts will still wonder why he could not do that game after game throughout the season. Again, like Daye, he has the potential to be a very solid NBA player, but he also may never live up to his potential.

After that are a couple of tweeners... guys that played the 3 in college but might be better suited for the 2 in the NBA. Gerald Henderson from Duke is one of the most athletic players in the Draft, but he will likely fall out of the lottery. There are questions about his jumpshot and handle, and so it's hard to project his role in the NBA. He can defend, and he can use his athleticism on the break (which makes him ideal for a running team), but he might be a little limited other than that. Terrence Williams from Louisville is a guy that got better and better as his career went on. He doesn't do anything exceptionally well, but he solid all across the board. He is a solid shooter, great rebounder, and great passer. He can be a really good role player on a solid team.

The only other small forward that looks like he will be drafted in the first round for sure is Derrick Brown out of Xavier. He does not have the all-around game that some of the other small forward prospects have, but he is probably the most athletic of the bunch. He can fly up and down the court and jump out of the gym. This allows him to be a very good defender, as well as a solid slasher offensively. He can be very solid for an up-tempo team, as his athleticism allows him to be a menace on the break.

So there is not much star power or depth at the small forward spot in the 2009 NBA Draft. There might not be any taken in the lottery, and there is not a lot of depth throughout the rest of the first round to compensate for that. If a team is looking for a sure solution at this spot, they probably will not find it in the 2009 Draft.

NBA Draft 2009 Preview: Shooting Guards

This article can also be found here.

If you are looking for a franchise shooting guard in the 2009 NBA Draft, you best look elsewhere. There are some solid rotation players, and maybe someday an all-star or two amongst the group, but it is a position that is lacking in both star power and depth this year.

The head of the class is James Harden from Arizona St. In two years, he has helped turn the Sun Devils program around, being one of the most productive players in the country. While he is not blessed with great athletic ability, he is a very crafty, refined player. He is a silky smooth left-hander, with the ability to both hit the outside shot and get to the rim and score. He can rebound, pass, and defend. He will not wow you in any area, but he is just a very solid player. He will be helped by the weakness of the draft, as it should propel him into the top 5 and likely the top SG off the board.

Next there is Tyreke Evans, who is more of a combo guard from Memphis. While he predominantly played the point in his one year, shooting guard looks like his more natural position. He is a very athletically gifted player, and should be able to get to the rim at the next level. If 2 guard does wind up being where he plays in the NBA, he should be able to score and defend very well and be a solid starter on a good team.

Next is DeMar DeRozan from USC. He is one of the 3 most athletically gifted and overall talented players in the draft, but his production did not match his talent in his lone season at USC. He has all of the physcial tools necessary to be a great player, but he was plagued by inconsistency. At times he looked like a star, and at other times he looked like, well, a freshman. If he can continue to improve his jump shot and work on bringing his best every night, he could be a steal for someone in the late lottery.

After that are a couple of tweeners... guys that played the 3 in college but might be better suited for the 2 in the NBA. Gerald Henderson from Duke is one of the most athletic players in the Draft, but he will likely fall out of the lottery. There are questions about his jumpshot and handle, and so it's hard to project his role in the NBA. He can defend, and he can use his athleticism on the break (which makes him ideal for a running team), but he might be a little limited other than that. Terrence Williams from Louisville is a guy that got better and better as his career went on. He doesn't do anything exceptionally well, but he solid all across the board. He is a solid shooter, great rebounder, and great passer. He can be a really good role player on a solid team.

So there are no real stars at the SG position of this year's NBA Draft, and there's not a lot of depth, but there are some guys that should be solid NBA players. James Harden looks like the best of the lot, but there are a few guys here that should have nice, productive careers in the NBA.

NBA Draft 2009 Preview: Point Guards

This article can also be found here.

With the NBA moving more and more towards faster basketball by rewarding the drive-and-kick style of offense, point guards are more important than ever in the NBA. Looking at the impact of guys like Chris Paul, Deron Williams, and even Derrick Rose this year, having a good PG can completely turn around a franchise. In the 2009 NBA Draft, point guard looks like the strongest position, both in terms of talent and the top and depth throughout the first round.

The first point guard off the board will almost certainly be Ricky Rubio, the youngster from Spain. He showed his talent and potential in the 2008 Olympics, where as a 17-year old the Spaniard more than held his own against the best competition in the world. There is definitely a lot to like about Rubio. He is a true PG, with innate ability to lead an offense, get others involved, and take charge and score when his team needs it. He is creative offensively, and can find passing lanes and create plays seemingly out of nothing. He is not a great shooter yet, but he has very good form, and his great FT shooting (80%) suggests he will grow into a very good shooter. To top it all off, he is very charismatic on and off the court, which is perfect in the business in the NBA. He's the best PG in the draft, and he could go as high as 2 to Memphis and no lower than 4 to Sacramento.

After that, things get a little more interesting. The next wave of guys to go look like hybrid PG/SG rather than true point guards. First, there is Stephen Curry from Davidson. He played mostly SG in college (though did transition to PG his junior year), but will likely be too small to play SG in the NBA. But he is the best shooter in the draft, a prolific scorer who can create his own shot or get one off quickly off of a screen, and he will be a potent offensive threat in the NBA. There are some concerns about whether he can effectively run an offense or be a solid defender at the next level, but he did help alleviate some of thos with his play this season.

Next there's Jrue Holiday and Tyreke Evans, two highly touted one-and-dones with loads of talent. Evans played PG at Memphis last season as a freshman, but the 2 guard might be his more natural position. He can score and defend, but there are certainly some questions about how well he can an offense. Jrue Holiday has all the tools to be a very good NBA player, but his production did not jump out at anyone in his one year at UCLA. He has the tools to be a great defender, but he is not a very natural scorer right now. Also, though he played PG and that looks like his natural position, he didn't play it full-time last year with the Bruins, as they had Darren Collison to help carry that load.

Perhaps the biggest unknown in the whole draft is Brandon Jennings. He was a high prospect before last season, and had committed to Arizona before deciding to spend the year playing in Europe. However, his playing time was sporadic, and scouts really did not get a great chance to watch him play. In addition, they haven't been able to see him in very many workouts either. The talent certainly appears to be there, but there are a lot of unknowns surrounding him, which could cause his stock to drop.

The class is rounded off with guys who produced a lot at the college level, but who have questions about how their game will translate at the NBA level. First is Johnny Flynn from Syracuse. He has all of the physical tools of strength and quickness that you look for, but there are concerns about his height and shooting ability from the outside. Then there is Ty Lawson from North Carolina, who might be the quickest and fastest player in the draft, but again, there are concerns about his height and shooting ability. Eric Maynor was a great college player for VCU, and he is certainly remembered for his game-winner against Duke in the NCAA Tournament. He is an opportunistic defender and good leader offensively, but he doesn't really stand out in any one area. Last, there is Darren Collison, who may have been a lottery pick if he had come out after his sophomore year, but now might struggle to get picked in the first round. You know what you are getting with him... great shooter and great on-the-ball defender. There are some questions about his size, but he should be a productive NBA player.

So the point guard position looks to be the deepest in this year's NBA Draft. With star power of Rubio at the top, and depth throughout the first round, look for many point guards to be taken in this year's NBA Draft. There might not be any future MVP's within the group, but there will be a lot of solid NBA players.

NBA Draft 2009: Center Prospects

This article can also be seen here.

Although the NBA appears to be changing to more of a transition game dominated by guards and wing players, big men can still rule the game. With a dearth of high-quality big men, teams are always searching for centers that can play enar the basket, affecting the game on both ends of the floor. For that reason, they are sometimes willing to reach on big men, or take projects who have the potential to be game-changing centers down the road.
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The 2009 NBA Draft appears to be a fairly weak draft class, but there is still some talent at the center position.

Assuming we count Blake Griffin from Oklahoma as a Power Forward, Connecticut center Hasheem Thabeet looks like he will be the first center taken in the 2009 NBA Draft. At 7'3'', he is still a very raw player, but has matured significantly on the court during his 3 years as a member of the Connecticut Huskies. He is a huge presence on the defensive end, and has the ability to alter games by blocking shots or forcing opponents to alter a ton of shots. Offensively, he is getting better but is still very raw, and scores most of his points on either putbacks or dunks.He is a project on the offensive end, but should make an immediate impact on the defensive end with his size and shot blocking instincts. He looks to be a top 3 pick in the draft.

BJ Mullens from Ohio St. appears to be the only other center who looks to be a viable first-round candidate if he chooses to stay in the draft. He only played 1 year for the Buckeyes, and is very much a long-term prospect who will be drafted based on his potential. He was a talented recruit coming out of high school, but had an up-and-down season for Thad Matta and the Buckeyes. He only averaged 8.8 PPG and 4.7 RPG in his freshman campaign, which are not exactly inspiring numbers, especially since he was a year older than many other freshmen in his class. He is very talented athletically, but there are concerns about how good of a basketball player he actually is. His basketball IQ is not that great, and his rebounding numbers are very mediocre for someone his size. Plus, there are concerns about his consistency, because that was lacking. His physical tools will probably get him drafted sometime in the first round by a team enamored with his talented, but it could be a while before he produces in the NBA.

These are really the 2 legit center prospects in this draft. Big men like Blake Griffin, Jordan Hill, or James Johnson probably will be able to play center at times, but they are more natural power forwards. So with the 2009 NBA Draft class shaping up to be a very weak one, this is most obvious when looking at the centers, which will probably have minimal impact in the NBA outside of a couple players.

NBA Draft Reactions

A hodgpodge of thoughts following one of the best sports night of the year - NBA Draft night.

Best value picks:
- Jerryd Bayless (11) - Had top 5 talent, but slides to 11, and will join an already talented cast of Portland Trailblazers. He can eventually be paired with Brandon Roy in the backcourt... neither guy is probably a natural PG, but both are good enough ballhandlers and passers to run the offense.

- Courtney Lee (22) - I like Lee quite a bit. He's an unselfish player who should in seamlessly with Orlando's Big 3. Playing the 2 spot, he's a lot more athletic than holdover Keith Bogans, and he still maintains 3-point range. He's also better than Bogans creating his own shot off the dribble. Just a really nice pick for a really solid player.

- Kosta Koufos (23) - He's not NBA ready yet, but at 23, he's a talented player to get. Also, he's white, so he should fit well in Utah.

- Mario Chalmers (34) - Chalmers was too good of a player to slip this far. Solid defensively, good outside shooter, unselfish with the basketball... perfect addition to a team with Wade-Marion-Beasley.

- DeAndre Jordan (35) - Not that I love Jordan's game (I actually have serious doubts as to whether he'll ever be a consistently productive player), but at 35, it's a good risk to take for the Clippers. He's got the athleticism and rebounding ability to be a very good player if he can develop some type of offensive game.


Worst value picks:
- DJ Augustin (9) - I was a little confused about this pick for the Bobcats. For one, I'm not huge on Augustin... he's small, doesn't have the quickness of a top-flight PG, and is a bit of a liability on the defensive end. But is he really going to be better than Raymond Felton? And doesn't Brook Lopez fit a big need there?

- Anthony Randolph (14) - Randolph is similar to Brandan Wright, who the Warriors got in the draft last year. What are they going to do with 2 raw, athletic PFs?

- Javale McGee (18) - Speaking of raw... he's a long ways away, and I think a guy like DeAndre Jordan might be a little better risk if you're going for the upside pick. But there were more proven 4 men like Kosta Koufos and Darrell Arthur on the board, both of which seem like they would have made more sense.

- Sonny Weems (39) - It's hard to have too many qualms about a mid 2nd round pick (same goes for Ewing next), but I was a little perplexed by this choice. Weems is freaky athletic, but with the addition of Rose to a backcourt already featuring Ben Gordon, Kirk Hinrich, Larry Hughes, and Thabo Sefalosha, I think a big man would have been a better choice. Or if they were going to go this position, Chris Douglas-Roberts was still on the board.

- Patrick Ewing (43) - Ewing is big and pretty athletic, but he doesn't really have any discernible NBA skill. Ewing was a decent 6th man as a senior in college... how does that translate to the #43 pick?

2008 NBA Mock Draft

Here is my first edition of a mock draft for 2008!

1. Chicago Bulls - Derrick Rose (Memphis)
Beasley seems to be a better fit, as the Bulls need a low-post scorer, but I simply think Derrick Rose is the better player. He's unstoppable in the open court, and if he ever develops a consistent jumpshot, he looks like a stronger version of Chris Paul (without quite the passing ability). Plus, John Paxson always emphasizes defense, and Derrick Rose has a much higher ceiling as a defender than Michael Beasley.

2. Miami Heat - Michael Beasley (Kansas St.)
Rose is the guy they really want, but Beasley sure is a nice consolation. He's NBA ready both on the offensive end and rebounding the basketball, and should be able to step into a lineup right away. Beasley will have his struggles on the offensive end, but a trio of Wade-Marion-Beasley would be a real good start in Miami.

3. Minnesota Timberwolves - Brook Lopez (Stanford)
With Lopez, the Timberwolves would be setting themselves up to have one of the best offensive frontlines in the NBA. They already have improving Al Jefferson, and Brook Lopez has great touch around the basket. Lopez does not have great athleticism, but he's big and is refined in his post moves around the basket. That could warrant a top 3 pick.

4. Seattle Supersonics - Jerryd Bayless (Arizona)
Seattle already had a nice core from last year's draft, and Bayless would be another great piece. He's a PG in the mold of a guy like Gilbert Arenas, in that he is really quick off the dribble and is a deadeye shooter. He is 19 and Kevin Durant is 20, so that would be a potent 1-2 combo for years.

5. Memphis Grizzlies - OJ Mayo (USC)
The Grizzlies could go with a big man here, but I like them to go with an off guard in OJ Mayo to create an immensely talented young backcourt, teaming him up with Mike Conley (and then ideally dealing Javaris Crittenton or Kyle Lowry). Mayo has great range on his shot (which makes him a good complement to Conley), but can also score off the dribble, and showed surprising leadership ability in his one year with USC.

6. New York Knicks - Danilo Gallinari (Italy)
According to reports, Gallinari is a 6'10'' forward with PG skills. He can handle the ball, create his own shot (either off the drive or with his back to the basket), hit from 3-point range, and he's a good passer. Sounds like a perfect fit for D'Antoni's system.

7. Los Angeles Clippers - Russell Westbrook (UCLA)
With the PG position unsettled in LA, Westbrook is a nice fit to stay in town and join the Clippers. While he hasn't played full-time at PG very much, he showed he has the skills to do it last year. He's solid handling the ball, he's a very good passer, and he has the athleticism required. He's very tough defensively both on the ball and in the passing lanes. He needs to develop a more consistent jump shot, but that was coming along as the year went. With his athleticism, he is great on the fast break.

8. Milwaukee Bucks - Eric Gordon (Indiana)
Gordon is a great scoring combo guard. With Gordon, the Bucks could look to unload Michael Redd and his large contract. Gordon can score in a variety of ways, as he showed by leading the Big 10 in scoring as a freshman.

9. Charlotte Bobcats - Anthony Randolph (LSU)
Looking for more athleticism, the Bobcats can look to young, but very talented and athletic Randolph. He's in the mold of a Brandan Wright from last year in that he needs to bulk up and improve his midrange game, but he appears to have the talent to do that. He averaged over 15 and 8 in his rookie campaign, and with over 2 blocks per game, showed that his athleticism can allow him to do some things defensively.

10. New Jersey Nets - Kevin Love (UCLA)
With athleticism all around, the Nets can take Love, who provides an NBA ready, polished game. He'll never be a star because of his athletic limitations, but he's an extremely intelligent player, great passer, rebounder, and showed a nice jumpshot last season.

11. Indiana Pacers - DJ Augustin (Texas)
The Pacers are really pretty bad at PG, so Augustin is the natural pick here. He's not the most athletic PG in the draft, but he's quick enough. He is crafty enough to get his own shot, he's a very good shooter, and he can get them into their offense and get playmakers the ball (as he showed when he played Kevin Durant). This seems like a logical pick for Indiana if Augustin is still on the board.

12. Sacramento Kings - DeAndre Jordan (Texas A&M)
Jordan is extremely raw, but his athletic ability is too much to pass up. He has a long way to go, as he showed by not having a huge impact in his year at College Station (8 PPG, 6 RPG), but with his great ability, he projects to be a solid scorer, excellent rebounder and shot blocker.

13. Portland Trailblazers - Joe Alexander (West Virginia)
With the Blazers looking to make a run at the playoffs next season, Alexander is a guy that could come in and give them quality minutes right away. He's not very good defensively, but he has an advanced offensive game and can score in a variety of ways. He's sneakily athletic, has a great jump shot with lots of range, and showed he can carry a team for stretches.

14. Golden State Warriors - Donte Greene (Syracuse)
Greene looks like a great fit for Nellie ball. He's a 3/4 combo guy that can stretch the floor with his outside shot. He's great in the midrange, and shot nearly 35% from downtown in his one season for the Orange. He looks like he could develop into a very solid rebounder with his athleticism and leaping ability, as he averaged over 7 per game. He might not be ready to play a lot of minutes right away, but he should be able to contribute some with his varied skills.

What are your thoughts? What would you change around?

Stephen A. Smith Heckled at the NBA Draft

I thoroughly enjoyed this last year, and they're back again heckling Stephen A. at the draft...

"Some people say you are the best forward since Slava Medvedenko."



And of course, the 2006 version:

NBA Draft, Winners, Losers, and things that confused me

OK, I have lots and lots of thoughts about the NBA Draft, but I'll try to condense it somewhat and just write down some things I liked, didn't like, and was a little confused by.

Things I Liked:
- The Oden and Durant picks - OK, these were really obvious choices, but sometimes you have to congratulate guys for not screwing up. Both guys are going to be stars sooner rather than later and should change both franchises around.

- The Knicks getting Zach Randolph - The concerns are certainly there (as were expressed by Dick Vitale), but on paper this is a fantastic deal for the Knicks. If Randolph can stay out of trouble, there's not a whole lot of 4/5 combos than Eddy Curry and Zach Randolph, with David Lee off the bench. And really, they didn't have to give up that much.

- The Bobcats getting Jason Richardson - Stephen A. Smith didn't seem to like this deal, but I thought it was pretty solid for the Bobcats. Richardson is a lot of money, but the Bobcats were under the cap. But Richardson is a really solid player and I think he turns them into a playoff team... Felton-Richardson-Wallace-Okafor-Brezec is a pretty nice starting lineup, especially in the East.

- Corey Brewer to the Timberwolves - Nice pick for the Wolves here... I think Brewer was definitely the best player left on the board and should immediately have an impact in Minnesota. Whether that impact comes with Kevin Garnett in town is yet to be determined.

- The foreign player picks - I thought a lot of teams had some really good picks of these foreign guys, and all of them were in the West. Bellinelli is a GREAT fit for the Warriors, Splitter is a typically excellent San Antonio pick, and the Blazers getting Rudy Fernandez for basically a couple million dollars is really nice as well. All really nice picks, especially later in the first round.


Things I Didn't Like:
- The Blazers end of the Randolph deal - I think they had to trade Randolph (if only to get him away from Oden), but I don't really like what they got out of it. Steve Francis was a bit of a problem child in New York, and he wasn't all that effective when he played. Channing Frye is a nice young player, but not great as the second piece for a very good post player.

- The Sonics taking Jeff Green - Green is a fine player, but when the Sonics got the 5 pick from Boston (more on that later) I was hoping for a little more. Green basically plays the same position as Durant and Rashard Lewis (who they have to be looking to resign now). Why not go for a guy like Corey Brewer, who can immediately take Ray Allen's spot? I didn't really like that pick. But again, it might not turn out so bad because Green is really talented.

- Aaron Brooks to Houston - I'm just not sure about this pick for the Rockets, especially since they already have Mike James, Rafer Alston, and Luther Head. Brooks is a really good shooter, and he's quick off the dribble, but is he really going to have that big of an impact with those other PGs?

- Alando Tucker to Phoenix - Tucker was a great college player and he brings some things to the table, but how does he fit in with Phoenix? He's not a really good outside shooter, and that's rather important in Phoenix's system. Really a strange pick, especially with guys like Gabe Pruitt and Derrick Byars still on the board. When asked about it, D'Antoni said they were impressed because he has good character and is a winner... those things are great, but is that the best you want from a first round pick?


Things that Confused Me:
- The Celtics trading for Ray Allen - I think it was a fair trade, and rumors like this have been floating around for a while, but why? Allen probably makes them a playoff team, but he's getting older and he's not going to lead them to the Finals. Again, I don't really think is a really bad move for Boston, because they didn't give up much other than the 5th pick, but the direction of this team just kind of confuses me some. But Pierce, Allen, and Jefferson should at least be fun to watch.

- Thaddeus Young to the 76ers - OK, this isn't a huge thing, but Young over Julian Wright and Al Thornton? Really?

- The Warriors trading Jason Richardson - Like the Boston deal, I don't think this is really bad for Golden State, but it confused me. The Warriors were a playoff team last year and look like an up-and-coming team, and I think this sets them back some. They must really like Michael Pietrus a lot. The good news, though, is that Brandan Wright is definitely a perfect fit for their system. He should fit great in their up-and-down style. But again, it's going to take a couple years, and Baron Davis is pretty fragile.

Who are your winners and losers?

More NBA Draft Thoughts

After giving my NBA mock draft yesterday, I figured I could post a few more thoughts of mine heading into the draft, because, well, that's sort of what this blog is for.

If I had a draft board, I would probably have it ranked something like this:
1. Greg Oden
2. Kevin Durant
3. Al Horford
4. Yi Jianlin
5. Corey Brewer
6. Mike Conley
7. Brandan Wright
8. Jeff Green
9. Joakim Noah
10. Al Thornton
11. Spencer Hawes
12. Julian Wright
13. Rodney Stuckey
14. Nick Young
15. Thaddeus Young

My Overrated List:
1. Acie Law - He was a fantastic player in college, but I do have some doubts about his pro potential. He is not that athletic (especially for a PG), and he doesn't have great range on his shot. I think he can be a solid player, but I'm not sure if he'll ever be a really good starting PG.
2. Javaris Crittenton - I do like him as the 2nd best pure PG in the draft, but I'm not sure he's worthy of going in the Lottery. He had some problems with decision making, though that might just be attributed to being a freshman in the ACC.
3. Julian Wright - He's kind of a poor man's Jeff Green in my mind. I do like his game, but he's not that big (strength wise) to play on the post, and his jumpshot is questionable. He does a lot of things really well, but again I'm not sure if he's suited to be a good NBA starter.

My Underrated List:
1. Rodney Stuckey - He's from Eastern Washington which makes some people dismiss him a little because of the competition, but I really like his game. He's a bit of a tweener, but there have been lots of guys like that having success in the NBA lately. I think he'd be a great pick for Detroit at 15, which is I think where he's headed.
2. Jason Smith - Not too many guys know him well, but he's an athletic big man who rebounds well and has decent range on his jumpshot.
3. Marco Bellinelli - The Italian who is pretty much ready to play right away. He's got a good jumpshot and has shown improved athleticism.
4. Jared Dudley - In the class of Paul Millsap and former teammate Craig Smith as far as really solid players that will contribute, but slip because the lack of athleticism. Dudley is a bit of a tweener, but he was just so productive, I can't see him NOT being a solid role player in the NBA.

Your thoughts?

NBA Mock Draft

With the draft finally just a few days away, it's time for the final edition of my mock draft. I'll just give my picks for the lottery, because things become a lot more complicated beyond that and I don't want to embarrass myself with the lack of success. Also, for other mock draft databases that have been kind enough to link to my first mock draft, check out the DC Pro Sports Report or Walter's Football Site, which both have extensive links to mock drafts.

Anyway, enough talking, on to the mock draft.

1. Portland Trailblazers - Greg Oden, Ohio St.
Draft Kevin Durant (an excellent blog) may disagree, but I have to think Oden is the pick here. As I wrote when I blogged about this last week, I think Oden is the right pick, though Durant wouldn't be bad. As long as they take one of those two, there is no bad pick here. I firmly believe that.

2. Seattle Supersonics - Kevin Durant, Texas
If Oden is the grand prize, Durant is a pretty good consolation. Durant comes into the league with an offensive skillset that we have NEVER seen before from someone his age. The perimeter jumper, the postup game, driving to the hoop, with his height and wingspan... I'm not sure we've ever seen something like this.

3. Atlanta Hawks - Al Horford, Florida
Almost everywhere I've read seems to think that Horford is the pick here, and I agree. He's the 3rd most ready to play, and he has all the tools to be an above average power forward. They should be able to address the PG position with the 11th pick, so with this you just have to go BPA, and that is Horford.

4. Memphis Grizzlies - Mike Conley, Ohio St.
I think they'd love to get their hands on Horford, but that doesn't look like it's going to happen. This could be a little dicey because they took Kyle Lowry last year, but they don't really have any other youth at that position. Conley probably isn't ready to be a starter right away, but he should be able to play some minutes there and be a good starter soon.

5. Boston Celtics - Corey Brewer, Florida
This is where a lot of the intrigue starts, because Boston could take Brewer, Yi, Jeff Green, or very possibly trade the pick (as has been rumored a lot). I kind of think they'll trade the pick, but if they do hang onto it I think Brewer will be the choice. He's ready to contribute right away on the wing and is the best option if they want to reach the playoffs next year, which all of the trade rumors would suggest.

6. Milwaukee Brewers - Yi Jianlin, China
It's a long-term option, but he could have one of the highest ceilings of anyone in the draft. There are concerns that he might be soft, or not NBA ready, but he's still a 7-footer with great range and skills. Milwaukee might not be the best fit for him, but I think he's the pick if he's still on the board here.

7. Minnesota Timberwolves - Jeff Green, Georgetown
There is a lot of talk that the Wolves like Noah as well, but Green is the more well-rounded player, and is a bit of a poor man's Garnett (without the defensive ability of KG). He's unselfish with the ball, is a good passer, and has pretty good range on his jumper. He'd be a nice fit alongside Kevin Garnett.

8. Charlotte Bobcats - Joakim Noah, Florida
Noah seems to fit the prototype that the Bobcats have... successful college players from successful college programs. People seem to be bashing Noah more than anyone else in this draft, but I think he's going to be a really nice role player. He's very solid defensively, has a high basketball IQ, and plays with tons of energy. Everyone can use a guy like that.

9. Chicago Bulls - Spencer Hawes, Washington
The offensive-skilled big man the Bulls need. Hawes is comfortable around the basket, which is something that the other big men can't really say right now. He's not going to be able to step in right away and start, but they don't need that. He'd be a great fit for the Bulls and another young piece for a talented team.

10. Sacramento Kings - Brandan Wright, North Carolina
Wright seems to be slipping every day with poor workouts and concerns about his motor, but he could be a steal if he drops this far. The concerns are certainly legitimate, but he is extremely talented. He is an athletic freak for a guy his size, and is a really good finisher around the basket.

11. Atlanta Hawks - Javaris Crittenton, Georgia Tech
There is a lot of talk lately about how the Hawks might be favoring Law, but I still think Crittenton will be the choice. He's a local guy, and even though he is not nearly as ready as Law, he probably has more potential and a higher ceiling.

12. Philadelphia 76ers - Al Thornton, Florida St.
Philly really needs a PF, but a super-athletic wing like Thornton would fit in great with guys like Andre Miller, Andre Iguodala, and Rodney Carney. Julian Wright or Jeff Green are also very strong possibilities here (especially if Green happens to slip here), but I think Philly would be pleased to get an athletic scorer like Thornton.

13. New Orleans Hornets - Nick Young, USC
Young is moving up the boards (even heard someone say Charlotte might be thinking about him at 8), but I think he will be the pick here. He fits the Hornets needs... an athletic 2 that can shoot and score. He'd be a perfect fit alongside Chris Paul.

14. LA Clippers - Acie Law, Texas A&M
With Cassell getting older and Livingston's future still a little uncertain, I think they'll take Law if he's still on the board (IE if Atlanta doesn't take him at 11). Julian Wright is another choice here, but Law is NBA ready and will help in the backcourt.

What are your thoughts? Which picks would you change around?

Thursday Debate: Would you take Greg Oden or Kevin Durant?

I've got a little feature on here called the Thursday Debate... today, let's look at who you would rather have on your team, Greg Oden or Kevin Durant?

This is the question that has been on everyone's mind for quite a while, and an issue I even looked at more than 4 months ago. I compared Oden to Alonzo Mourning and Durant to Dirk Nowitzki, but neither of those accurately sums up these guys' games.

With Kevin Durant, you have one of the most versatile offensive weapons ever to come into the NBA. That's not even exaggerating. He has a great touch from the outside, and with his height can get the ball off against almost any defense. He also has a quick first step and can get to the basket and finish. If that's not enough, he's also got a developing postup game in case you try to guard him with someone smaller.

But he's got a lot more to his game than just his scoring ability. He's unselfish with the ball. He's got great instincts and solid athleticism, which allowed to be in the top 5 in rebounds per game as a freshman. He also has long arms, which can make him a defensive force as that part of his game matures. He is a complete player, and can do things offensively we haven't seen before in one player.

Oden is the opposite. His defensive game is farther along than his offensive game, and his offensive ceiling is probably a little lower. But defensively he shines. I think that once he gets drafted he will immediately become one of the top 5 defensive centers in the NBA. He is extremely athletic, quick, and has great shotblocking instincts. I really think he compares to a Bill Russell or Dikembe Mutombo as far as his defensive ability.

Offensively, he is definitely coming along, as we saw in the title game against Florida. It's very clear he wasn't at 100% all year long, and has been mentioned, I think this will help in the long run. He has become very adept with the left hand and showed he can finish with the right as well. He is raw on the post, but showed the quickness and athleticism that makes me think he can be an elite offensive center as well.

There is no doubt that these are both special players... barring injury, I can't see either of them disappointing or being busts. In my mind, Oden will be a 20-25 PPG scorer and one of the best defensive centers ever. I think Durant will be a 25-30 PPG scorer and eventually be a very good defensive player as well. If I had the choice, I still think I would take Greg Oden, because I think his defense just makes him a little more valuable.

But who would you take?

Who would you rather have on your team?
	Greg Oden
	Kevin Durant

Who do these NBA Draft Prospects compare to?

With the Draft a week away, I'll bring out an idea for a post I did last year and had fun with, so I'll bring it out again. Who do some of these NBA Draft prospects compare to in the NBA?

Acie Law: My Comparison - Sam Cassell - In my mind, Law is a lot like Cassell. As he showed at Texas A&M, Law is not afraid to take any big shots (as he routinely knocked them down), similar to Cassell. Also, neither guy really relies on their athleticism. Law is still fairly athletic, but he relies more on his smarts at the PG spot. Both guys are also deadly midrange shooters.

Spencer Hawes: My Comparison - Brad Miller - Hawes reminds me of Miller because neither guy is going to be good based on their physical skills or their strength, but they are really good finesse type players. Hawes can score on the post, but he won't overpower you down there. He's decently quick and has a great touch around the rim. But he reminds me a lot of Miller because he can take his jumpshot out to 15-18 feet and is still a very good passer. Maybe you can't run an offense through him but he's going to be a very good complimentary player.

Al Horford: My Comparison - Chris Webber - Horford reminds me of Webber because he doesn't really have one thing that he does great, but he does everything really well. He can score some on the block, he can hit the midrange jumper, he's a good rebounder, solid defender, and really good passer out of the post. He's just a really good all-around player ready to contribute right away.

Joakim Noah: My Comparison - Anderson Varajeo - I think Noah's offensive game is a little more advanced, but he reminds me a lot of Varajeo. Both are hustle players, solid defensively and good rebounders. Like Varajeo, Noah isn't going to be a really good offensive player, but he can be a very good role player, because he's unselfish offensively, good on the offensive glass, and solid defensively.

Brandan Wright: My Comparison - Amare Stoudemire - Wright reminds me of Stoudemire because both guys are just really explosive around the rim. More often than not, they'll get the ball inside and they're so athletic and quick that they can get to the rim to finish before the defender can stop them. Wright is also a very good rebounder and help defender. To be able to reach Amare's level, Wright will need to continue to develop a midrange type game, which he doesn't really have yet. But then, Amare didn't have that either when he first came into the NBA.

Greg Oden: My Comparison - Alonzo Mourning - Oden kind of reminds me of Mourning in his prime, only with a lot more potential. Oden is immediately going to be one of the best defensive centers in the game with his quickness and shot blocking ability. He also showed just a bit of that offensive potential in the championship against Florida. He should be very quick there, and now he's able to finish with either hand. Oden will be dominant sooner rather than later.

Kevin Durant: My Comparison - Dirk Nowitzki - Nowitzki is the guy that most reminds of Durant, but the comparison has a lot of flaws. Like Dirk, Durant is great on the perimeter and excellent posting up. But the comparison breaks down because Durant is also very good at getting to the basket and finishing there, which Dirk is not as good at. Durant also has the tools to be a great defensive player with his quickness and wing span.

Mike Conley: My Comparison - Chris Paul - Conley isn't quite ready to make the splash that Paul did as a rookie, but I think he has a lot of the same tools. Neither guy has a great jumper, but more are extremely quick with the ball and adept at getting to the rim. Also, both guys are gifted passers with extraordinary vision. Furthermore, both guys have really quick hands defensively which allows to get a lot of steals.

Corey Brewer: My Comparison - Josh Howard - I think these guys are similar offensively, but Brewer is better defensively and has a higher ceiling as a defender than Howard. Brewer was the best perimeter defender in the nation last year and that should translate immediately in the NBA. Offensively, I think Brewer is like Howard because both guys have good (but not great jumpshots) but they can get to the rim and score in a lot of different ways. I think Brewer could eventually be a 15-20 PPG scorer while being a great defender.

Arron Afflalo: My Comparison - Raja Bell - As a UCLA guy, I have to take a look at Afflalo. I liken him to Bell because I think Afflalo will be a really good role player like Bell. The thing about Bell is that he can play defense well and hit jumpshots. That's about all he does and that's what Afflalo can do. I think Bell is a better outside shooter, but Afflalo is a little better off the dribble. In either case, I think Afflalo has a shot to eventually become a solid starter on a good team like Bell is.

Do you think these comparisons are good? Who would you compare these guys to?

Draft entry winners and losers

With Monday being the final day for college players to decide whether to stay in the draft or go back to school, I thought it'd be interesting to take a look at the winners and losers of the day:

Winners

Jeff Green - It would have been really cool to watch him at Georgetown for another year, but realistically I don't think he would have really improved his stock. As it is he's a definitely lottery choice, and probably a solid chance of going in the top 10. He has the overall skill set to come in and help immediately and he'll be off the board sometime in the first 12 picks. Seems like a good choice to stay in the draft.

Devon Hardin - A lot of the talk was that he was staying in the Draft, but he pulled out the last minute. He probably would have been a first rounder, but I still like this move for him. With a full year of playing (which he didn't have this year), he might even be able to move into the lottery next year in a much weaker draft. It delays the payday a little bit, but it should make it a little bigger.

Thaddeus Young - He probably won't go in the Lottery, but I still like the move for him. With Javaris Crittenton leaving for the draft, he might have had more trouble next year getting the ball, which could have hurt his stock. He'll be a solid pick in the 15-20 range.


Losers

JamesOn Curry - Oklahoma St. will still be a solid team, but they could have possibly been Big 12 title contenders with Curry, who will instead go to the draft. Curry will not be a first round pick, and might not even be a 2nd round pick. There is still hope for the Cowboys that Curry does not get drafted and doesn't sign an agent, leaving him open to returning, similar to what Randolph Morris did for Kentucky.

Tim Miles - The former coach at NDSU will face a stiffer rebuilding job at Colorado St. with the loss of talented big men Jason Smith, who is shooting up draft boards. The loss certainly wasn't unexpected, but it's still a big one.

Who do you think were the biggest winners and losers?

Re-doing the 2006 NBA Draft

With the season just about over (one more game should do it), I thought it would be interesting to take a look back at the 2007 Draft, and see if any of the Lottery teams would do it differently if they had the chance to. So here is my version of the 2006 NBA Draft, one year after the fact. I'll post my pick, with the guy the teams actually wound up with in parenthesis.

1. Toronto Raptors - Brandon Roy (Andrea Bargnani)
I don't think the Raptors are at all unhappy with their choice of Bargnani, who got better and better at the season wore on, but it certainly looks like Brandon Roy is the best player of the draft. He was very good as a rookie, scoring 17 points and doling out 4 assists per game, and he can even play a little of the 1 or 2.

2. Chicago Bulls - LaMarcus Aldridge (Tyrus Thomas)
One of the Bulls biggest problems is that they don't have any big man that can consistently score with their back to the basket. They had their chance to help out that situation, and instead they went with the uber-athlete Tyrus Thomas. Given the chance, I think they'd now take Aldridge, who showed lots of flashes of being a very solid post scorer in the NBA. And yes, with Roy, Alridge, and soon Oden (among others), the future appears to be very bright in Portland.

3. Charlotte Bobcats - Andrea Bargnani (Adam Morrison)
Predictably, Morrison was a disaster. He may have scored 11.8 points per game, but it was a wildly inefficient 11.8 PPG and he didn't add anything else. He only shot 37.6% from the field (and about 33& from the arc), and contributed about 3 rebounds and 2 assists per game in 30 minutes. And to add on, he's not a good defensive player. With the chance, the Bobcats would take Bargnani, who was much better this year and has a higher ceiling than Morrison.

4. Portland Trailblazers - Tyrus Thomas (LaMarcus Aldridge)
With Aldridge and Roy off the board, the Blazers take the most athletically gifted player on the board in Tyrus Thomas. It wasn't all smooth sailing for Thomas in year 1, but he showed flashes in the Detroit series of his potential. He can jump and run out of the gym, and should be a very solid NBA contributor as he becomes more polished.

5. Atlanta Hawks - Randy Foye (Shelden Williams)
The Hawks still need a PG, and while Foye isn't a natural PG he can play there. Coming into the draft he was one of the guys expected to have the biggest impacts and he did, scoring over 10 a game for Minnesota. He's also pretty solid defensively at the point, and fills a bigger need than Shelden Williams.

6. Minnesota Timberwolves - Rudy Gay (Randy Foye)
The Timberwolves need another scorer to compliment Garnett, and Gay certainly has the skills to eventually be that guy. Perhaps the most talented player in the draft, he had some very productive stretches for the Grizz. In February he averaged over 15 points and 5 rebounds per game, and in March followed that up with 14 points and 6 rebounds per contest, so he has the talent to be very good.

7. Boston Celtics - Rajon Rondo (Brandon Roy to Portland)
Telfair doesn't appear to be the long-term option for Boston at point, but Rondo showed lots of signs that he can be, which rockets him up this draft board. He's not a great shooter (he's pretty bad actually), but he can get into the lane offensively, and defensively he wreaks havoc all over the court. In April he got almost 37 minutes per game and was a force, to the tune of 13 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 5.5 APG, and 2.5 SPG. He can be a force at PG for a while.

8. Houston Rockets - Daniel Gibson (Rudy Gay)
Gibson fell into the 2nd round on draft day after an up-and-down sophomore year at Texas, and for most of the year that looked like about the right place for him. But he has become the Cavs second best player for much of the playoff run, single-handedly taking down the Pistons in the clinching game 6. He shot great all year (which is perfect in an offense with T-Mac and Yao), and has been pretty effective going to the hoop as well in the playoffs.

9. Golden State Warriors - Marcus Williams (Patrick O'Bryant)
O'Bryant was drafted as a project from the start, but it still had to be discouraging to see him play in only 16 games and be very ineffective in them. Baron Davis was fantastic in the playoff run, but he's still injury prone, and Marcus Williams would back him up nicely and be very comfortable in Nellie's fast paced system.

10. Seattle Supersonics - Adam Morrison (Saer Sene)
The pick of Sene was a bit of a head scratcher at the time and remains so now, as raw might be a generous way to describe. In his place they take the hometown hero Adam Morrison, who was very medicore in year 1 but should eventually turn into a reliable scoring option. Also, he'd fit right in with the Sonics theme of all offense, no defense.

11. Orlando Magic - Thabo Sefolosha (JJ Redick)
The Magic knew what they'd be getting when they got Redick, but it had to be pretty disappointing for him to continue having the back problems, limiting him to 42 games. He flashed some of that shooting touch but was a bit too much of a set shooter as a rookie. With Sefalosha they get a guy that is certainly more raw, but who I think has a higher ceiling with his overall game. He shot a solid 36% from beyond the arc and has the potential to be a lockdown defender on the perimeter.

12. New Orleans Hornets - Shelden Williams (Hilton Armstrong)
The Hornets went with the talented defensive player in Armstrong, but here they go with Shelden Williams. Armstrong may have more potential defensively, but Williams is a better scorer and rebounder.

13. Philadelphia 76ers - Rodney Carney (Rodney Carney)
Carney didn't blow anyone away in his first year in Philly, but he was solid. The second half of the year was sort of ravaged for him with injuries, but he showed he could put his athleticism to good use as he got more and more playing time. He'll never be a great offensive player but he was a pretty efficient one, shooting 46% from the field and about 35% from beyond the arc.

14. Utah Jazz - Paul Millsap (Ronnie Brewer)
Millsap was very solid for the Jazz as a rookie as a jack-of-all-trades big man off the bench, and I think they'd try to get that again. He's very efficient as a scorer and a tough defender and rebounder.

Your thoughts? What changes would you make?

Who would you trade the #1 pick for?

Saw an interesting idea on FanIQ (via Blazer's Edge), so I thought I'd give my take on it... the question is, if you were the Portland Trailblazers, who would you trade the #1 pick for?

Critical Fanatic had only 2 players that he'd trade the right to draft Oden for... LeBron James and Dwight Howard.

The first one, I'd agree with. I think LeBron James is a no-brainer. He's already the best player in the NBA at age 22, and he's the most physically gifted player in the history of the NBA. No matter the potential of Oden, LeBron James is a guy I would trade him for.

The other choice of Dwight Howard, I would disagree with. Obviously, Howard is an utterly fantastic player. But I do have some concerns about him turning into one of the top 3 players in the NBA. Steve Kerr wrote an article on Yahoo! earlier this season, basically wondering whether Dwight Howard would really develop into a good back-to-the-basket player. I have some of those same concerns. I mean, he still scored 17 PPG and shot 60% from the field, but is he ever going to be a dominant offensive force? I'm not sure.

There is only one other guy I would trade the pick for, and that is Dwyane Wade. He is 25, but I thought he was the best player in the NBA this year when he was healthy, and we saw what he could do when he led the Heat to the NBA title in 2006. He is a great scorer, but he still remains unselfish and plays hard every night. I think he and LeBron will be the two best players in the NBA next season.

Other possibilities were intriguing, but not enough. Tim Duncan is the best PF ever (in my book), but he's on the wrong side of 30 to be trading Greg Oden for. Ditto for Kevin Garnett, who has started to decline (albeit slightly). Kobe Bryant is getting older as well. Beyond that, there's really no one I would consider.

So who would make you give up the #1 pick?

Mock Draft 1.0

With the Lottery complete, it's time for my first version of a Mock Draft, at least for the Lottery picks. This will certainly change many times before the draft, but the early bird does get the worm.

1. Portland Trailblazers - Greg Oden, Ohio St.
Oden is the pick here. They do have some frontcourt depth, but Oden is just too good to pass up. He'll immediately be great defensively, and is offensive game is coming along very well. They may have to trade Zach Randolph, but Blazers fans should be very happy with Oden in the middle for a long, long time.

2. Seattle Supersonics - Kevin Durant, Texas
Durant was again the obvious pick here, especially since it looks like Rashard Lewis will opt out of his contract as expected. Durant is easily the 2nd best and most talented player in this draft, and might even save the franchise in Seattle.

3. Atlanta Hawks - Mike Conley, Ohio St
After passing up a bevy of point guards over the past couple of years, the Hawks need to take Conley here even if it's a little high for him. Conley's the best PG prospect in the Draft, and with his quickness offensively and defensively, combined with his excellent passing and decision making skills, Conley looks like a pretty safe bet to be very good in the NBA.

4. Memphis Grizzlies - Brandan Wright, North Carolina
I think the Grizz will go for the best player available, and that is probably Brandan Wright. He is supremely athletic for his size, and will help out the frontcourt. He probably won't contend for Rookie of the Year, but as long as he gets time to grow (and remains motivated) he has the talent to be the 3rd best player from this class.

5. Boston Celtics - Al Horford, Florida
With Doc Rivers and Danny Ainge's jobs possibly on the line this year, I think they'll look at Horford, who will be able to help them out more immediately than someone like Yi Jianlin. Horford is perhaps the most polished big man in the draft and will immediately contribute in the NBA.

6. Milwaukee Bucks - Yi Jianlin, China
TSF wrote about Jianlin a few days ago, and he really is an interesting prospect. He's extremely skilled, but he's really skinny and a little raw, which will probably leave him a couple of years away from being a major contributor. If you'll recall, the Bucks were the team to take Dirk Nowitzki and then trade him for Tractor Traylor... I don't think they'll make the same mistake again.

7. Minnesota Timberwolves - Corey Brewer, Florida
Kevin Garnett isn't getting any younger, and so the Wolves need someone to help soon. Brewer is very versatile and can do just that. He is the best wing defender in the draft, and he's also a good outside shooter that can take it to the hoop soon. He'd be a nice fit alongside KG.

8. Charlotte Bobcats - Julian Wright, Kansas
The Bobcats have lots of young talent, and Wright would fit right in with that. The thing that is so good about him is that he is extremely versatile... he's very skilled handling and passing the ball, so he can play sort of a point forward. He's also a solid rebounder and defender, and might even be able to play a little bit at the 4. That versatility is nice for a team with so many young guys trying to fit together.

9. Chicago Bulls - Spencer Hawes, Washington
The Bulls need a big man that can score, and with Roy Hibbert withdrawing his name from the draft, Hawes is the guy that most fits the bill here. Hawes doesn't have the athletic skill of some others, but he's really talented, sort of in a Brad Miller way. He might not be a star in the NBA, but he can be a solid contributor, which is all the Bulls need.

10. Sacramento Kings - Jeff Green, Georgetown
Another one of those guys that just does a little bit of everything. He is a decent shooter, but he's also a solid rebounder and interior defender. And for good measure, he's one of the best passers in this draft.

11. Atlanta Hawks - Joakim Noah, Florida
This is a bit of a drop for a guy that would have been a top 3 pick last year, but this draft is just a lot deeper. People like to point out Noah's flaws (such as that he can't really create any offense for himself), but he does a lot of things well. He brings lots of energy, he's a very solid rebounder, shot blocker, and help defender. If he falls this far, it'd be a good pick for Atlanta at 11.

12. Philadelphia 76ers - Al Thornton, Florida St.
The 76ers are more in need of a pure PF, but Thornton is the best player available at this point. He's a very athletic guy that might be able to play a little 4 (in the Shawn Marion mold), but he'll continue with the athleticism in place with guys like Andre Iguodala and Rodney Carney.

13. New Orleans Hornets - Thaddeus Young, Georgia Tech
With Desmond Mason departing, Young is the kind of athletic swingman that can replace him and play alongside Peja. He had some problems with inconsistency, but he is very talented on the wing. Playing alongside Chris Paul, he should become a very good player (though it'll take a little while) in New Orleans.

14. Los Angeles Clippers - Acie Law, Texas A&M
Law reminds me a lot of Sam Cassell, and I think he'll have the chance to play with him in LA. With the future of Shaun Livingston a little uncertain, the Clips could use a PG and Law is the 2nd best one in this draft. He's solid defensively, handles the ball well, and is not afraid to take the big shot.

What do you think?